Posted by T.L. on August 08, 1998 at 14:28:22:
In Reply to: Re:3.00 WHAT???? posted by N8 on August 08, 1998 at 13:27:08:
NATE, The higher the number is, the LOWER the ratio is. For the 8-inch rearend equipped Maverick, 3.00:1 is the lowest ratio offered. My 3.55s are even LOWER than that. Also, No Maverick ever came with a "Locker" rear end. They were all "open" (single wheel drive) rearends. I put a "Traction-Lok" into mine. The lowest ratio offered in 1970 was 3.20:1 but that was the 7.5" rearend (3.08:1 was also available).
: Sitting in my lap right now I have a 1973 Ford maverick/mecury comet car shop manual. Volume v pre-delivery, maintaince and lubrication. it lists the lowest rear end to come out that year as 2.75:1as the lowest gear ( a locker rear end), It also offered a 2.79:1 and a 2.80:1.
: .: 3.00:1 was the lowest gear ratio offered in a '73 Maverick/Comet. I put a 3.55:1 "posi" (Traction-Lok) rearend from a '74 Mustang II into my '73. I think it's THE PERFECT ratio for street/strip in a Maverick. My fuel economy really didn't get any worse (it was always bad). As far as yours; a good "tune-up" should do the trick. You need to advance the initial spark timing to about 12-14 degrees BTDC. Back it off if it "pings". I don't remember what year you said yours is but the "big-bumper-beasts" from '74-'77 are heavier than the '70-'73. That's obviously going to make the later models a little slower in stock form...
: : : : My first question is: is your 302 properly tuned? My 'bone stock' '73 Comet with 110,000 mi (I had it in High School a 'few' years back) could ROUTINELY knock off 0-60 at about 8.5 sec. when I could keep the rear tires hooked up! It sounds like yours may need some tuning (the usual stuff, plugs,points,timing,etc.).
: : : : The answer to your question is that YES gearing will have a LOT to do with the acceleration "numbers". The 'common' 2.79's found in a large number of V8 Mavs/Comets were terrific for low RPM highway cruising but LOUSY for "off the line" performance. Switching to the 'modest upgrade' 3.00 in my 'semi-stock' (added duals, bumped timing, K&N filter) '74 Grabber helped her to "jump" just that much quicker...I assure you that in all my years I have not been "embarrassed" by ANY "stock" 318 Dart/Valiant (won some, lost some and like previously mentioned it's mostly drivers that makes the difference ).
: : : : I'll get off my soapbox now!
: : : Thank you for such a helpful response. Since yours went 0-60 in 8.5, I believe that mine can too. Since mine is over 3 seconds away from this goal however, I suspect that it will take more than just a tune-up to achieve 8.5.Several questions: What was the lowest rear-end gear ratio available in '73? What gears did your '73 have? FInally, if the car runs&starts well, are there any parts that could be covered in a tune-up which would hold this car back so severely? Clogged EGR valve maybe? If I can achieve that 8.5 second time, I will be one proud Comet owner!
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